Ireland’s mobile broadband provider 3, has today announced that it has awarded a contract to Satellite Broadband Ireland to provide satellite broadband services to homes and businesses in rural Ireland, under the Government’s National Broadband Scheme. As a result of the contract success, the company will be creating an additional thirty new jobs at its headquarters in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
As part of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) being rolled out by 3, Satellite Broadband Ireland will provide satellite broadband services to up to 5 percent of the 223,000 targeted buildings throughout rural Ireland. The National Broadband Scheme sees an estimated EU223 million investment by 3, of which a maximum of EU79.8 million will be contributed by the Irish Government and the EU, to provide broadband services to the designated electoral districts covered by the scheme.
The cost of the satellite broadband service to consumers within the NBS areas will be the same price as 3’s NBS mobile broadband service; EU19.99 per month, plus a once off charge of EU49.00 for installation and hardware, providing much-needed broadband connectivity in these areas to both homes and businesses.
On today’s announcement Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said: “This goes to show that the National Broadband Scheme has brought new smart jobs to Mullingar, and it will continue to bring these jobs to other parts of the country as it progresses”. The Minister added that “broadband is the delivery mechanism for a smart green future”.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Kevin Ryan, CEO of Satellite Broadband Ireland said: “Satellite BroadbandIreland is delighted to partner with Ireland’s leading mobile broadband provider, ‘3’, to support the roll-out of the National Broadband Scheme. The extension of broadband will encourage the entrepreneurial spirit which is a unique asset of the knowledge economy in Ireland and will help secure a sustainable future for firms and entrepreneurs outside urban areas”.
Kevin Ryan continued “we are delighted that our company has won the contract for satellite broadband with ‘3’. They are part of a world-leading telecoms group, Hutchison Whampoa, and our partnership, as a home-grown SME, is a fantastic step forward, which will provide immense opportunities in the marketplace for us”. This partnership with ‘3’ demonstrates that indigenous Irish companies are continuing to move forward and create jobs and direct investment despite the challenging economic climate”.
Commenting at the announcement Damien Gallagher, NBS Project Director, 3 said: “This strategic agreement with Satellite Broadband Ireland is an important part of our National Broadband Scheme roll-out. Satellite broadband is the only viable option in a small percentage of buildings without which certain parts of rural Ireland would remain unconnected. 3 chose Satellite Broadband Ireland’s cutting-edge, innovative technology and their highly-skilled and experienced Irish workforce”.
Satellite Broadband Ireland MD Sean Og Brennan said: “Through the National Broadband Scheme, our satellite broadband service will connect people in un-served areas to an efficient broadband service delivered via the latest satellite technology. Satellite Broadband Ireland chose to use Eulestat’s world-leading satellite broadband technology as they are the largest broadband provider through satellite in Europe. Eutelsat’s experience in this sector was also a major factor in the selection of a satellite broadband provider”.
Established in 2008 Satellite Broadband Ireland provides satellite broadband to the Irish market. Since their first installation the Tooway service has now successfully been installed in 24 counties across Ireland covering the most rural locations from west cork to the most northerly points of Donegal. The company currently employs 10 at its headquarters in Mullingar.
